New Spanish Law Offers Citizenship For Those With These Last Names

There's lately been palpable excitement on Latin American social media, and maybe even among latinos in the U.S., about some new "Spanish law" (as in, a law from Spain) that supposedly would grant citizenship to people with certain surnames, from Sanchez to Rosales, and Beltran, Morales, Fuentes, Jimenez, Rubio, Nathan, and almost 5,200 other Sephardic names.

But this doesn't mean that you could just stroll into the Spanish Embassy and ask for your Spanish citizenship. But you can, unless you can prove that I'm you are a Sephardic Jew or descendant from those who were banished from Spain by the Catholic rulers of the 15th and 16th centuries after the last of the Moors were expelled from Europe.

The Moors, or Muslim rulers of southern Spain during much of the Middle-Ages, didn't really bother with converting or oppressing much of the Iberian Peninsula's diverse followers of other religions. Christians, Jews and Muslims are generally regarded to have lived peacefully under Moorish rule for centuries. But after Fernando II and Isabela I, the Catholic monarchs of the united crowns of Aragon and Castile, began to retake much of Spain, they quickly forced Jews to either convert to Catholicism or flee the country.

This is were the new law comes in. After more than 500 years, Spain has decide to welcome back descendants and those Jews, now called Sephardi (from the Hebrew word for "Spain"), as redemption for what Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, the Spanish justice minister and who drafted the new law, called "a historical error."

Ruiz-Gallardón added that " [we] have an opportunity to repair it, so I am sure that law will pass with an immense majority in parliament...[and when it does] citizenship will not be a discretional matter, it will not be subject to the good will of the government, because it is a right that anyone who meets the criteria is entitled to."

"Spain wants to offer an authentic historical reparation after five hundred years", assured Ruiz-Gallardón to the American Jewish Organization in February.

It won't be THAT easy though, despite what the justice minister has said. The Federación de Comunidades Judías de España, the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, will determine who qualifies as an actual Sephardic descendent, or "worthy" of the citizenship offer. Anyone granted the offer will be allowed to keep his original citizenship.

Backers of the bill in government, have said that even non Jews can apply, but none the less must have Sephardic ancestry or are part of the wider "ladino" community. Ladino is the language still used by the exiled Jews and is almost an exact preservation of Spanish in its Medieval form. Having one or two of this 5,200 listed last names can help, but all those who apply will have to try a harder than that, especially if they aren't practicing Jews.

Josh Nathan-Kazis is an American with almost ten generations of family in the New World, and who still looks like a Spaniard with Jewish ancestry, has the last names, and even an pages and pages from a genealogy book about his family, dating all the way back to 1660 with a man name Luis Gómez from Madrid. He began a quest to see if the Spanish Jewish Federation would recognized his right to Spanish citizenship or recognition, and yet was told that it wasn't enough. So, it isn't that easy.

And, as he points out, the current severe economic crisis in Spain would probably deter many from applying for citizenship in Spain, and suspects most who seek out the application would do so just to be able to enter the European Union, not so much stay in Iberia.

Sephardic Jews have two years to apply for citizenship after the bill becomes law (it still has to be approved by parliament).

What are some of the prerequisites when applying for a Spanish citizenship under the future law?

• A certificate from a rabbinical and official authority, legally recognized in their country of residence. This might be difficult for U.S. Sephardic Jews, since the government doesn't get involved in directly determining which religions are valid or not.
• The surnames from those interested in applying, or if if they speak "ladino", proficiency in it.
• A certificate from the Federación de Comunidades Judías de España, certifying that applicants are Sephardi.
• Proof of an applicant's direct descent from Sephardic families from Spain.
• Applicants will have two years after the law is passed (it hasn't yet) to present documentation proving their heritage.

List of the surnames approved for Spanish citizenship;

Abad, Abadía, Abarca, Abastos, Abaunza,

Abbot, Abdallá, Abdalah, Abdallah, Abdelnour,

Abdo, Abea, Abel, Abela, Abelado, Abella,

Abellán, Abendaño, Abou, Abraham, Abrahams,

Abrahán, Abrego, Abreu, Abrigo, Abril, Abufelo,

Abugadba, Aburto, Acabal, Acebal, Acedo,

Acevedo, Acosta, Acuña, Adames, Adamis, Adanaque, Adanis, Adis, Aedo,

Agababa, Agámez, Agayón, Agrazal, Agreda, Aguayo, Agudelo, Agüero,

Aguiar, Aguilar, Aguilera, Aguiluz, Aguilve, Aguinaga, Aguirre, Agurto,

Agustín, Ahuja, Ahumada, Aiello, Aiza, Aizprúa, Aizpurúa, Alache, Alama,

Alan, Alani, Alanis, Alanís, Alaniz, Alarcón, Alas, Alavez, Alayón, Alba,

Albarello, Albarracín, Albelo, Albenda, Alburola, Alcaíno, Alcanzar, Alcázar,

Alcazar, Alcibar, Alcócer, Alcóser, Alcóver, Alcózer, Aldana, Aldaña, Aldapa,

Aldecoba, Alderrama, Alegría, Alejos, Alemán, Alexander, Alexandre, Alfaro,

Alfonso, Algaba, Alguera, Aliaga, Alicama, Alier, Alizaga, Allan, Allon,

Alluín, Almanza, Almanzar, Almanzo, Almaraz, Almazan, Almeida,

Almendares, Almendárez, Almendáriz, Almengor, Almonte, Aloisio, Aloma,

Alomar, Alonso, Alonzo, Alpírez, Alpízar, Altamirano, Altenor, Alterno,

Altino, Altonor, Alva, Alvarado, Alvarenga, Alvares, Álvarez, Alvaro, Alvear,

Alverde, Alvergue, Alvir, Alzate, Amado, Amador, Amalla, Amaris, Amaya,

Amor, Amora, Amores, Amoros, Ampie, Ampié, Ampiée, Ampiee, Anaya,

Anchetta, Anchez, Anchía, Anchieta, Andia, Andino, Andrade, André, Andrés,

Andujar, Andújar, Andujo, Angele, Angelini, Anglada, Angulo, Anice, Anjos,

52 Umaña Rojas, Conrado R., Dr. Heredia, Costa Rica.

A

80

Ansorena, Antelo, Antero, Antezana, Antich, Antillón, Antón, Antúnez,

Anzora, Aparicio, Apolinar, Apollonio, Aponte, Aquiles, Aquino, Aragón,

Aragones, Aragonés, Araica, Arana, Arancibia, Aranda, Arando, Arango,

Aranjo, Araque, Arata, Araujo, Araus, Arauz, Araya, Arbaiza, Arballo, Arbelo,

Arbizu, Arbizú, Arboleda, Arburola, Arca, Arcarate, Arce, Arceyudh, Arceyut,

Arceyuth, Arcia, Arcía, Arciniegas, Ardila, Ardín, Ardón, Ardonnix, Areas,

Arellano, Arena, Arenas, Arévalo, Argudo, Arguedas, Argüelles, Argüello,

Argueta, Arguijo, Arias, Ariasdes, Arica, Arie, Ariño, Arispe, Arista, Ariza,

Arjona, Armada, Armas, Armenta, Armento, Armeras, Armesto, Armijo,

Arnáez, Arnau, Arnesto, Anuelo, Arnuero, Arone, Arosemena, Arquín,

Arrazola, Arrea, Arredondo, Arreola, Arriaga, Arriagada, Arrieta, Arriola,

Arrocha, Arroliga, Arrollo, Arrone, Arrones, Arronés, Arronez, Arronis,

Arroniz, Arroyave, Arroyo, Arrubla, Artavia, Arteaga, Artecona, Artiaga,

Artiga, Artiles, Artiñano, Artola, Artolozaga, Aruj, Aruizu, Arze, Arzola,

Ascante, Ascencio, Asch, Asencio, Asero, Así, Asís, Aspirita, Astacio, Astete,

Astorga, Astorquiza, Astúa, Asturias, Asunción, Asusema, Atehortúa, Atein,

Atencio, Atensio, Atiensa, Atienza, Augusto, Ávalos, Avelar, Avellán,

Avendaño, Ávila, Avilés, Avilez, Ayala, Ayales, Ayara, Ayarza, Aybar,

Aycinena, Ayerdis, Aymerich, Azar, Azaria, Asofeifa, Azqueta, Azua, Azúa,

Azuar, Azucena, Azul, Azuola, Azurdia.

81

Babb, Babar, Baca, Bacca, Bacigalupo,

Badilla, Bado, Báez, Baeza, Baidal, Bairnales,

Baizan, Bajarano, Balarezo, Baldares, Balday,

Baldelomar, Balderas, Balderrama, Balderramos,

Baldí, Baldi, Baldioceda, Baldivia, Baldizón,

Balladares, Ballar, Ballard, Ballester, Ballestero,

Ballesteros, Ballón, Balma, Balmaceda, Balmacera,

Balon, Balser, Baltodano, Banegas, Banet, Banilla, Baños, Bañuelos,

Baquedano, Baquero, Baradín, Baraen, Barahoma, Barahona, Barajas,

Baraquiso, Barat, Barba, Barbagallo, Barbagebra, Bárbara, Barbena, Barben,

Barberena, Barbosa, Barboza, Barcelas, Barcelata, Barcenas, Barcia, Bardayan,

Barguil, Barillas, Barletta, Baro, Barón, Barquedano, Barquero, Barquette,

Barra, Barracosa, Barrante, Barrantes, Barraza, Barreda, Barrenechea, Barrera,

Barrero, Barreto, Barrias, Barrientos, Barriga, Barrio, Barrionuevo, Barrios,

Barroso, Barrot, Barrott, Barrundia, Barsallo, Bart, Bartal, Barteles, Bartels,

Barth, Barvas, Baruch, Basadre, Basán, Basilio, Basti, Bastida, Bastos, Bastti,

Batalla, Batán, Batista, Batres, Bautista, Bauzid, Baviera, Bayo, Bazán, Bazo,

Beatriz, Becancur, Becerra, Becerril, Bedolla, Bedoya, Beeche, Beeché,

Beingolea, Beita, Bejarano, Bejos, Bel, Belette, Belgrave, Bellanero, Bellido,

Bello, Belloso, Belmonte, Beltrán, Beltre, Benach, Benambourg, Benambugr,

Benambur, Benavente, Benavides, Benavídez, Benda, Bendaña, Bendig,

Bendij, Benedictis, Beneditt, Benevides, Bengoechea, Benites, Benítez, Benito,

Benzón, Berasaluce, Berciano, Berdasco, Berdugo, Berenzón, Bermejo,

Bermeo, Bermudes, Bermúdez, Bernadas, Bernal, Bernardo, Bernat, Berrios,

Berríos, Berrocal, Berrón, Bertel, Bertrán, Betancort, Bentancourt,

Betancourth, Betancur, Betancurt, Beter, Beteta, Bethancourt, Betrano, Better,

Biamonte, Binda, Blanco, Blandino, Blando, Blandón, Blau, Blum, Bobadilla,

B

82

Bodán, Bogán, Bogantes, Bogarín, Bohorguez, Bohorquez, Bojorge, Bolaños,

Bolívar, Bonice, Boniche, Bonichi, Bonilla, Borbas, Borbón, Borda, Bordallo,

Borge, Borges, Borja, Borjas, Borjes, Borloz, Borras, Borrasé, Borredo,

Borrero, Bosque, Botero, Boza, Bran, Bravia, Bravo, Brenes, Breve, Briceño,

Brilla, Briones, Brito, Brizeño, Brizuela, Buencamino, Buendía, Bueno, Bueso,

Buezo, Buga, Bugarín, Bugat, Bugria, Burgos, Burguera, Burgues, Burillo,

Busano, Bustamante, Bustillo, Bustillos, Busto, Bustos, Buzano, Buzeta, Buzo.

83

Caamano, Caamaño, Cabada, Cabadianes,

Cabal, Cabalceta, Caballero, Cabana, Cabaña,

Cabeza, Cabezas, Cabistán, Cabral, Cabrera,

Cabrerizo, Cáceres, Cadenas, Cadet, Cageao,

Caicedo, Cairol, Cajas, Cajiao, Cajina, Cala,

Calatayud, Calazán, Calcáneo, Caldas, Caldera,

Calderón, Calero, Caliva, Calix, Calle, Calleja, Callejas, Callejo, Calles, Calvo,

Calzada, Camacho, Camaño, Camarena, Camareno, Camarillo, Cambronero,

Camona, Campabadal, Campabadall, Campodónico, Campos, Canales,

Canalias, Canas, Candamo, Candelaria, Candelario, Canejo, Canessa, Canet,

Canetta, Canizales, Canizález, Canizares, Canno, Cano, Canossa, Cantarero,

Cantero, Cantillano, Canto, Cantón, Cañas, Cañizales, Cañizález, Capón,

Carabaguias, Carabaguiaz, Caranza, Caravaca, Carazo, Carbalda, Carballo,

Carbonell, Carbonero, Carcache, Carcachi, Cárcamo, Carcedo, Carcía,

Cárdenas, Cárdenes, Cardona, Cardos, Cardoso, Cardoza, Cardoze, Cares,

Carias, Caridad, Carit, Carlos, Carmiol, Carmona, Carnero, Caro, Carpio,

Carranza, Carrasco, Carrasquilla, Carreño, Carrera, Carreras, Carrillo, Carrión,

Carrizo, Carro, Cartagena, Cartago, Cartín, Carvajal, Carvalho, Carvallo, Casa,

Casaca, Casafont, Casal, Casanova, Casañas, Cásares, Casas, Casasnovas,

Casasola, Cascante, Casco, Casorla, Cassasola, Cásseres, Castaneda,

Castañeda, Castañedas, Castaño, Castañón, Castaños, Castelán, Castellano,

Castellanos, Castellón, Casteñeda, Castiblanco, Castilla, Castillo, Castro,

Catania, Cateres, Catón, Cavalceta, Cavaller, Cavallo, Cavanillas, Cavazos,

Cavero, Cazanga, Ceba, Ceballos, Ceciliano, Cedeño, Cejudo, Celada,

Celedón, Celís, Centella, Centeno, Cepeda, Cerceño, Cerda, Cerdas, Cerna,

Cernas, Cerón, Cerpas, Cerros, Cervantes, Cervilla, Céspedes, Cevallos,

Cevedo, Cevilla, Chabrol, Chacón, Chamarro, Chamorro, Chanquín, Chanta,

C

84

Chanto, Chavarría, Chavera, Chaverri, Chaves, Chávez, Chavira, Cheves,

Chévez, Chica, Chicaiza, Chicas, Chilquillo, Chinchilla, Chinchillo, Chirino,

Chirinos, Chocano, Choza, Cid, Cifuentes, Cintrón, Cisar, Cisne, Cisnero,

Cisneros, Cisternas, Claro, Cleves, Cobaleda, Coe, Coello, Coen, Cohen,

Coles, Colina, Colindres, Collado, Collina, Colom, Coloma, Colombo,

Colomer, Concepción, Concha, Conde, Condega, Condes, Conedo, Conejo,

Congosto, Conte, Contreras, Corales, Corao, Cordeiro, Cordero, Cordido,

Córdoba, Cordón, Cordonero, Córdova, Cordoze, Corea, Corella, Cornavaca,

Cornejo, Corona, Coronado, Coronas, Coronel, Corrales, Correa, Corredera,

Corro, Corta, Cortaberría, Cortés, Cortez, Cortinez, Cortissoz, Corvera, Cosio,

Cosiol, Cosme, Cossio, Costa, Cotera, Coto, Crespo, Crispín, Crispino, Cruces,

Cruz, Cuadra, Cuadrado, Cuan, Cuaresma, Cuarezma, Cuarta, Cubas, Cubenas,

Cubero, Cubías, Cubias, Cubilla, Cubillo, Cubillos, Cubria, Cuebas, Cuellar,

Cuéllar, Cuello, Cuenca, Cuendis, Cuernavaca, Cuervo, Cuesta, Cueva,

Cuevas, Cuevillas, Cunill, Cunillera, Curbelo, Curco, Curdelo.

85

Da Costa, Da Silva, Dacosta, D’Acosta,

Dalorso, Dalorzo, Dalsaso, Damaceno, Damito,

Daniel, Daniels, Dapuerto, Dapueto, Darce, Darche,

Darcia, Darío, Dasadre, Dasilva, Dávalos, David,

Dávila, Davis, D’Avola, De Abate, De Aguilar, De

Alba, De Alvarado, De Benedictis, De Briones, De

Camino, De Castro, De Céspedes, De Espeleta, De Ezpeleta, De Falco, De

Faria, De Franco, De Jesús, De Jorge, De Juana, De La Cruz, De La Cuesta,

De La Espriella, De La Fuente, De La Garza, De La Guardia, De La Herran,

De La Hormaza, De La Jara, De La Mata, De La Nuez, De La O, De La Osa,

De La Ossa, De La Paz, De La Peña, De La Rocha, De La Rosa, De La Selva,

De La Teja, De La Torre, De La Trava, De La Vega, De Largaespada, De Las

Casas, De Las Cuevas, De Las Heras, De Lemos, De León, De Lev, De Lima,

De López, De Luz, De Miguel, De Miranda, De Moya, De Odio, De Óleo, De

Ona, De Oña, De Paco, De Paredes, De Pass, De Paz, De Pazos, De Pedro, De

Pinedo, De Prado, De Rayo, De Sárraga, De Sá, De Trinidad, De Ureña, De

Vega, De Yglesias, Del Barco, Del Barrio, Del Bello, Del Busto, Del Carmen,

Del Castillo, Del Cid, Del Pilar, Del Pimo, Del Río, Del Risco, Del Socorro,

Del Solar, Del Valle, Delatolla, Delgadillo, Delgado, Deliyore, Dellale,

Dellanoce, Delso, Delvo, Dengo, Denis, Dennis, Detrinidad, Devanda,

Devandas, Devoto, Dias, Díaz, Díez, Díjeres, Díjerez, Dimas, Dinares, Dinarte,

Discua, Doblado, Dobles, Dodero, Dalmus, Dalmuz, Domingo, Domínguez,

Donado, Donaire, Donato, Doña, Doñas, Donzón, Dorado, Dormos, Dormuz,

Doryan, Duar, Duares, Duarte, Duartes, Duenas, Dueñas, Duque, Duque

Estrada, Durall, Durán, Durante, Duval, Duvall, Duverrán.

D

86

Echandi, Echavarría, Echeverri, Echeverría,

Eduarte, Egea, Elías, Eligia, Elizalde, Elizonda,

Elizondo, Elmaleh, Emanuel, Enrique, Enriques,

Enríquez, Eras, Erazo, Escabar, Escalante,

Escamilla, Escarré, Escobar, Escobedo, Escocia,

Escorriola, Escosia, Escoto, Escovar, Escribano,

Escude, Escudero, España, Esparragó, Espelerta, Espeleta, Espinach, Espinal,

Espinales, Espinar, Espino, Espinosa, Espinoza, Espitia, Esquivel, Esteban,

Esteves, Estévez, Estrada, Estrella.

E

87

Faba, Fabara, Fabián, Fábrega, Fabregat,

Fabres, Facio, Faerrón, Faeth, Faiges, Fait, Faith,

Fajardo, Falco, Falcón, Falla, Fallas, Farach, Farah,

Fargas, Farias, Farías, Faries, Fariña, Fariñas,

Farrach, Farrer, Farrera, Farrier, Fatjo, Fatjó,

Faundez, Faune, Fava, Fazio, Fermández, Fermán,

Fernandes, Fernández, Fernando, Ferrada, Ferrán, Ferrando, Ferraro, Ferreira,

Ferreiro, Ferrer, Ferrero, Ferris, Ferro, Ferros, Fiallos, Fictoria, Fidalgo,

Fierro, Figueiredo, Figuer, Figueras, Figueres, Figueroa, Filomena, Fletes,

Fletis, Flores, Fonseca, Font, Forero, Formoso, Fornaguera, Fraga, Fraguela,

Francés, Frances, Francesa, Francia, Francis, Franco, Fray, Frayle, Freer,

Freira, Fresno, Freyre, Frías, Frutos, Fuentes, Fumero, Funes, Funez, Fúnez,

Fuscaldo, Fusco.

F

88

Gabriel, Gadea, Gaete, Gago, Gainza, Gaitán,

Galacia, Galagarza, Galán, Galarza, Galaviz, Galba,

Galcerán, Galeano, Galeas, Galeno, Galera,

Galiana, Galiano, Galindo, Galino, Galiñanes,

Gallardo, Gallegas, Gallegos, Gallo, Galo, Galtés,

Galván, Gálvez, Galvis, Gamarra, Gamazo, Gambo,

Gamboa, Gámez, Garay, Garayar, Garbanzo, Garcés, García, Gardela,

Gargollo, Garino, Garita, Garmendia, Garner, Garnier, Garreta, Garrido, Garro,

Garrón, Garza, Garzel, Garzón, Garzona, Gaspar, Gateno, Gateño, Gavarrete,

Gavilán, Gaviria, Gavosto, Gayoso, Gaytán, Gazel, Gazo, Geoyenaga, Gil,

Gillén, Gilles, Giral, Giraldo, Giraldt, Giralt, Giro, Girón, Gladis, Goches,

Góchez, Godines, Godínez, Godoy, Goic, Goicoechea, Goicuria, Goldenberg,

Golfín, Gomar, Gómez, Gomis, Gondres, Góndrez, Góngora, Gonzaga,

Gonzales, González, Gonzalo, Goñi, Gordon, Górgona, Goyenaga, Gracía,

Gracias, Gradis, Grajal, Grajales, Grajeda, Grana, Granada, Granados, Granda,

Grandoso, Granera, Granizo, Granja, Graña, Gras, Grau, Greco, Greñas,

Gridalva, Grigoyen, Grijalba, Grijalda, Grijalva, Grillo, Guadamuz, Guadrón,

Guajardo, Guardado, Guardano, Guardia, Guardián, Guardiola, Guarín,

Guasch, Gudino, Gudiño, Güel, Güell, Güendel, Güendell, Guerra, Guerrero,

Guevara, Guido, Guie, Guier, Guifarro, Guilá, Guillarte, Guillén, Guillermet,

Guillermo, Guilles, Güillies, Guillies, Guillis, Guilloch, Guiménez, Guindos,

Guitiérrez, Guitta, Guix, Gulubay, Gunera, Guntanis, Gurdián, Gurrero,

Gurrola, Gustavino, Gutiérrez, Guzmán.

G

89

Haba, Habibe, Haenz, Harrah, Hénchoz,

Henríquez, Henrriquez, Herdocia, Heredia,

Herencia, Heríquez, Hermann, Hermosilla,

Hernández, Hernando, Hernánez, Herra, Herradora,

Herrán, Herrera, Herrero, Hevia, Hidalgo, Hierro,

Hincapié, Hinostroza, Horna, Hornedo, Huerta,

Huertas, Huete, Huezo, Hurtado, Hurtecho.

H

90

Ibáñez, Ibarra, Ibarras, Icaza, Iglesias, Ilama,

Incapié, Incer, Incera, Inceras, Inces, Infante,

Iracheta, Iraheta, Irastorza, Irias, Iribar, Irigaray,

Irola, Isaac, Isaacs, Israel, Ivañez, Izaba, Izaguirre,

Izandra, Iznardo, Izquierdo, Izrael, Izurieta.

II

91

Jácamo, Jacobo, Jácome, Jácomo, Jaen,

Jáenz, Jara, Jaramillo, Jarquín, Jarrín, Jerano, Jerez,

Jiménez, Jimera, Jinesta, Jirón, Joseph, Jovel,

Juárez, Junco, Juncos, Jurado.

JJ

92

Kaminsky, Klein, Kuadra.

K

93

La Barca, Labra, Lacarez, Lacayo, Lafuente,

Lago, Lagos, Laguardia, Laguna, Lain, Laine,

Lainez, Laitano, Lamas, Lamela, Lamicq,

Lamugue, Lamuza, Lancho, Lanco, Landazuri,

Lández, Lanuza, Lanza, Lanzas, Lapeira, Laporte,

Laprade, Lara, Lares, Largaespada, Largo, Larios,

Larrabure, Larrad, Larragan, Larragán, Larraguivel, Lasa, Lasantas, Láscares,

Láscarez, Láscaris, Lasso, Lastra, Lastreto, Latiff, Latino, Latorraca, Laurito,

Laverde, Lázaro, Lázarus, Lázcares, Lazo, Lazzo, L’Calleja, Leal, Leandra,

Leandro, Ledezma, Ledo, Leitón, Leiva, Lejarza, Lemmes, Lemos, Lemus,

Lemuz, Leñero, León, Lépiz, Levi, Leytón, Leyva, Lezama, Lezana, Lezcano,

Lhamas, Lieberman, Lima, Linares, Linarte, Lindo, Lines, Líos, Lira, Lizama,

Lizana, Lizano, Lizarme, Llabona, Llach, Llado, Llamazares, Llamosas, Llano,

Lanos, Llanten, Llaurado, Llerena, Llibre, Llinas, Llobet, Llobeth, Llorca,

Llorella, Llorens, Llorente, Llosent, Lloser, Llovera, Llubere, Loáciga,

Loáiciga, Loáisiga, Loaissa, Loaiza, Lobo, Loeb, Loew, Loinaz, Lombardo,

Londoño, Lope,Lopes, Lopera, López, Lopezlage, Loprete, Lora, Loredo, Lorente,

Lorenz, Lorenzana, Lorenzen, Lorenzo, Loría, Lorío, Lorio, Lorz, Losada,

Losilla, Louk, Louzao, Loynaz, Loza, Lozano, Luarca, Lucas, Lucena, Lucero,

Lucke, Lugo, Luis, Luján, Luna, Lunaza, Luque, Luquez.

L

94

Macaya, Macedo, Maceo, Machado, Machín,

Machuca, Macia, Macias, Macías, Macís, Macre,

Macrea, Madariaga, Maderos, Madinagoitia,

Madrano, Madrid, Madriga, Madrigal, Madril,

Madriz, Maduro, Magalhaes, Magallón, Magaña,

Magdalena, Maguiña, Mahomar, Maikut, Maingot,

Mairena, Maisonave, Maita, Majano, Majarres, Malaga, Maldonado, Malé,

Malespín, Malestín, Maltés, Maltez, Malvarez, Manavella, Mancheno, Mancia,

Mancía, Mandas, Mangaña, Mangas, Mangel, Manjarres, Mans, Mansalvo,

Mansilla, Manso, Mantanero, Mantica, Mantilla, Manuel, Manzanal,

Manzanares, Manzano, Manzur, Marabiaga, Maradiaga, Marbes, Marbis,

Marcenaro, March, Marchena, Marcia, Marcías, Marcillo, Marcos, Mardones,

Marenco, Margules, María, Marichal, Marín, Marinero, Marino, Mariñas,

Mariño, Marot, Maroto, Marqués, Marquez, Marreco, Marrero, Marroquín,

Marsell, Marte, Martell, Martén, Martens, Martí, Martin, Martínez, Martins,

Marvez, Mas, Masía, Masís, Maso, Mason, Massuh, Mastache, Mata,

Matamoros, Matarrita, Mate, Mateo, Matera, Mateus, Matías, Matos, Mattus,

Mattuz, Matul, Matus, Matute, Maurel, Maurer, Mauricio, Mauro, Maynard,

Maynaro, Maynart, Mayo, Mayor, Mayorga, Mayorquín, Mayre, Mayrena,

Maza, Mazariegos, Mazas, Mazín, Mazón, Mazuque, Mazure, Medal,

Mederano, Mederas, Medeiros, Medina, Medinilla, Medoza, Medrano, Meira,

Mejía, Mejías, Melara, Meléndez, Melgar, Melgarrejo, Mellado, Melo,

Membreño, Mena, Menayo, Menchaca, Mendea, Méndez, Mendiantuba,

Mendieta, Mendiola, Mendives, Mendivil, Mendoza, Mendreño, Menéndez,

Meneses, Menjibar, Menjivar, Menocal, Meono, Meoño, Merayo, Meraz,

Merazo, Merazzo, Mercado, Mercelina, Mercer, Mergarejo, Mérida, Merino,

Merizalde, Merlo, Mesa, Mesales, Mesalles, Meseguer, Mesén, Messeguer,

M

95

Mestayer, Meszaros, Meza, Michelena, Michelino, Micillo, Miguez, Mijangos,

Mijares, Milanés, Milano, Millet, Mina, Minas, Minero,Miño, Miqueo,

Miraba, Miralles, Mirambell, Miramontes, Miranda, Miro, Mirquez, Mitja,

Mitjavila, Mizrachi, Mojarro, Mojica, Molestina, Molian, Molín, Molina,

Molinero, Molleda, Mollinedo, Mollo, Moncada, Mondol, Mondragón,

Moneda, Moneiro, Monestel, Monga, Mongalo, Móngalo, Monge, Mongillo,

Monguillo, Monjarres, Monjarrez, Monjica, Monserrat, Montagné, Montalbán,

Montalbert, Montalto, Montalván, Montalvo, Montana, Montanaro,

Montandón, Montano, Montealegre, Montealto, Montecino, Montecinos,

Monteil, Montejo, Montenaro, Montenegro, Montero, Monterosa, Monteroza,

Monterrey, Monterrosa, Monterroso, Montes, Monterinos, Monteverde,

Montiel, Montier, Montoya, Monturiol, Mora, Moraes, Moraga, Morales,

Morán, Morazán, Moreira, Morejón, Morena, Moreno, Morera, Moriano,

Morice, Morillo, Morín, Moris, Morise, Moro, Morote, Moroto, Morraz,

Morúa, Morún, Morux, Morvillo, Moscarella, Moscoa, Moscoso, Mosquera,

Motta, Moxi, Moya, Mozquera, Mugica, Muiña, Muir, Mulato, Munera,

Mungía, Munguía, Munive, Munizaga, Muñante, Muñiz, Muñoz, Murcia,

Murgado, Murgas, Murias, Murillo, Murilo, Muro, Mussap, Mussapp, Mussio,

Mustelier, Muxo.

96

Naim, Naira, Nájar,Nájares, Najarro, Nájera,

Nájeres, Naranjo, Narvaes, Narváez, Nasralah,

Nasso, Navaro, Navarrete, Navarrette, Navarro,

Navas, Nayap, Nazario, Nema, Nemar, Neyra,

Nieto, Nino, Niño, Noble, Noboa, Noel, Nogebro,

Noguera, Nomberto, Nora, Noriega, Norza, Nova,

Novales, Novo, Novoa, Nuevo, Nuez, Nunga, Núñez.

N

97

Obaldía, Obanbo, Obando, Obares, Obellón,

Obon, Obrego, Obregón, Ocampo, Ocampos,

Ocaña, Ocaño, Ocario, Ochoa, Ocón, Oconitrillo,

Ode, Odio, Odir, Odóñez, Odor, Oduber, Oguilve,

Ojeda, Okarlo, Okendo, Olarte, Olaso, Olaverri,

Olazaba, Olguín, Oliva, Olivar, Olivares, Olivárez,

Olivas, Oliver, Olivera, Oliverio, Olivier, Oliviera, Olivo, Oller, Olmeda,

Olmedo, Olmo, Olmos, Omacell, Omodeo, Ondoy, Onetto, Oñate, Oñoro,

Oporta, Oporto, Oquendo, Ora, Orama, Oramas, Orantes, Ordeñana, Ordoñes,

Ordóñez, Orduz, Oreamuno, Oreas, Oreiro, Orella, Orellana, Orfila, Orias,

Orios, Orjas, Orjuela, Orlich, Ormasis, Ormeño, Orna, Ornes, Orochena,

Orocu, Orosco, Orozco, Ortega, Ortegón, Ortiz, Ortuño, Orve, Osante, Oseda,

Osegueda, Osejo, Osequeda, Oses, Osorio, Osorno, Ospina, Ospino, Ossa,

Otalvaro, Otárola, Otero, Oto, Otoya, Ovares, Ovarez, Oviedo, Ozerio, Ozores,

Ozuno.

O

98

Pabón, Pacheco, Paco, Padilla, Páez,

Paguaga, País, Países, Paiz, Pajuelo, Palacino,

Palacio, Palacios, Palaco, Paladino, Palazuelos,

Palencia, Palma, Palomar, Palomino, Palomo,

Pamares, Pampillo, Pana, Pandolfo, Paniagua,

Pantigoso, Pantoja, Paña, Papez, Parada, Parado,

Parajeles, Parajón, Páramo, Pardo, Paredes, Pareja, Pares, París, Parra,

Parrales, Parreaguirre, Parriles, Parrilla, Pasamontes, Pasapera, Pasos,

Passapera, Pastor, Pastora, Pastrán, Pastrana, Pastrano, Patiño, Patricio, Paut,

Pauth, Pavez, Pavón, Paz, Pazmiño, Pazos, Pedraza, Pedreira, Pedreiro,

Pedroza, Peinador, Peinano, Peláez, Pellas, Pellecer, Pena, Penabad, Penado,

Pendones, Penón, Penso, Peña, Peñaloza, Peñaranda, Peñas, Peñate, Penzo,

Peñón, Peraldo, Perales, Peralta, Peraza, Perdomo, Perea, Perearnau, Pereira,

Pereiras, Perera, Pereyra, Pérez, Perezache, Pergo, Pericón, Perla, Perlaza,

Pessoa, Peynado, Peytrequín, Pezo, Picado, Picasso, Picavea, Pichardo, Pico,

Picón, Piedra, Piedrafita, Pila, Pilarte, Pimente, Pina, Pinada, Pinagel, Pinagen,

Pinar, Pincai, Pincay, Pinchinat, Pineda, Pinel, Pinell, Piney, Pinillos, Pinkay,

Pino, Pintado, Pinto, Pinzas, Piña, Piñar, Piñate, Piñeiro, Piñeres, Pinzón, Pío,

Pion, Piovano, Piovet, Pitalva, Piza, Pizarro, Pla, Plá, Placeres, Pláceres,

Plácido, Placidón, Plaja, Platero, Poblador, Poblete, Pocasangre, Pochet,

Podoy, Pokoy, Pol, Polamo, Polo, Polonio, Poma, Pomar, Pomareda, Pomares,

Ponares, Ponce, Pontigo, Pool, Porat, Porquet, Porras, Porta, Portela,

Porter,Portero, Portilla, Portillo, Portobanco, Portocarrera, Portugués,

Portuguez, Posada, Posla, Poveda, Povedano, Pozo, Pozos, Pozuelo, Prada,

Pradella, Pradilla, Prado, Prat, Pratt, Pravia, Prendas, Prendis, Pretiz, Prettel,

Prieto, Prietto, Primante, Prior, Prioto, Privatt, Procupez, Puente, Puentes,

Puertas, Puga, Puig, Pujo, Pujol, Pulido, Pulis, Pull, Pulles, Pupo, Purcallas.

P

99

Quedo, Queralt, Queredo, Querra, Quesada,

Quevedo, Quezada, Quiel, Quijada, Quijano,

Quinaz, Quinde, Quino, Quintana, Quintanilla,

Quinter, Quintero, Quinto, Quiñones, Quiñónez,

Quirce, Quiroga, Quirós, Quiroz.

Q

100

Raa, Raabe, Raba, Rabetta, Raga, Raigada,

Raigosa, Ramírez, Ramón, Ramos, Randel,

Randuro, Rangel, Raphael, Rauda, Raudes, Raudez,

Raventos, Raventós, Raygada, Rayo, Rayos, Real,

Reales, Reazco, Recinos, Recio, Redondo, Regaño,

Regidor, Regueira, Regueyra, Reich, Reina,

Renderos, Rendón, Reñazco, Repeto, Repetto, Requene, Requeno, Requeño,

Rescia, Resenterra, Restrepo, Retana, Reuben, Revelo, Revilla, Revollar,

Revollo, Rey, Reyes, Reyna, Riba, Ribas, Ribera, Ribero, Ricardo, Ricaurte,

Riera, Rileva, Rincón, Río, Ríos, Riotte, Rivalta, Rivardo, Rivas, Rivel,

Rivera, Rivero, Riverón, Riveros, Rizo, Roa, Roba, Robelo, Roble, Robles,

Robleto, Roboz, Roca, Rocabado, Rocca, Roch, Rocha, Roda, Rodas,

Rodesma, Rodesno, Rodezno, Rodó, Rodo, Rodrigo, Rodríguez, Roe, Roig,

Rois, Rojas, Rojo, Roldán, Romagosa, Román, Romano, Romero, Roque,

Rosa, Rosabal, Rosales, Rosas, Rouillón, Rovillón, Rovira, Roviralta, Roy,

Royo, Roys, Rozados, Rozo, Ruano, Rubí, Rubia, Rubín, Rubino, Rubio,

Rucavado, Rudín, Rueda, Rugama, Rugeles, Ruh, Ruilova, Ruin, Ruiz,

Romoroso, Russo.

R

101

Saavedra, Saba, Sabah, Saballo, Saballos,

Sabat, Sabate, Sabba, Sabín, Sabogal, Saborío,

Saboz, Sacasa, Sacida, Sada, Sadaña, Sáenz, Saer,

Saerron, Sáez, Safiano, Sage, Sagel, Sagot,

Sagreda, Saguero, Sala, Salablanca, Salamanca,

Salas, Salazar, Salbavarro, Salcedo, Salcino,

Saldaña, Saldivar, Salgada, Salgado, Salguera, Salguero, Saliba, Salinas,

Salmerón, Salmón, Salom, Salomón, Salumé, Salume, Salustro, Salvado,

Salvatierra, Salvo, Samaniego, Sambrana, Samper, Samudio, Samuel, San Gil,

San José, San Juan, San Martín, San Román, San Silvestre, Sanabria,

Sanahuja, Saname, Sanamucia, Sanarrusia, Sánchez, Sancho, Sandí, Sandigo,

Sandino, Sandoval, Sandria, Sandy, Sanga, Sangil, Sanjines, Sanjuan,

Sansebastián, Sansilvestre, Sanson, Sansores, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa

María, Santacruz, Santamaría, Santana, Santander, Santiago, Santibanes,

Santiesteban, Santillán, Santín, Santisteban, Santoanastacio, Santos,

Sanvicente, Sanz, Saraiva, Saravanja, Saravia, Sardinas, Sardiñas, Sariego,

Sarmiento, Sárraga, Sarratea, Sarraulte, Sarria, Sas, Sasso, Satjo, Sauceda,

Saucedo, Sauza, Savala, Savallos, Savedra, Savinón, Saxón, Sayaguez, Scriba,

Seas, Seballos, Secades, Secaida, Seco, Sedano, Sedo, Segares, Segovia,

Segreda, Segura, Sehezar, Selaya, Selles, Selva, Selvas, Semerawno,

Semeraro, Sepúlveda, Sequeira, Sermeño, Serra, Serracín, Serrano, Serrato,

Serraulte, Serru, Serrut, Servellón, Sevilla, Sevillano, Sibaja, Sierra, Sieza,

Sigüenza, Siguenza, Siles, Siliezar, Silva, Silvera, Silvia, Simana, Simón,

Sinchico, Sio, Sion, Siri, Sirias, Siverio, , Siz, Sobalvarro, Sobrado, Sojo, Sol,

Solana, Solano, Solar, Solares, Solarte, Soldevilla, Solé, Solemne, Soler,

Solera, Soley, Solís, Soliz, Solno, Solo, Solórzano, Soltero, Somarriba,

Somarribas, Somoza, Soria, Sorio, Soro, Sorto, Sosa, Sossa, Sosto, Sotela,

S

102

Sotelo, Sotillo, Soto, Sotomayor, Sotres, Souto, Soutullo, Sovalbarro, Soza,

Suárez, Suazao, Suazo, Subia, Subiros, Subirós, Subisos, Succar, Sueiras,

Suñer, Suñol, Surroca, Suyapa, Suzarte.

103

Tabah, Tabares, Tablada, Tabor, Tabora,

Taborda, Taco, Tagarita, Tagarró, Tal, Talavera,

Taleno, Tamara, Tamargo, Tamayo, Tames,

Tanchez, Tanco, Tapia, Tapias, Taracena,

Tardencilla, Tarjan, Tarrillo, Tasara, Tate, Tato,

Tavares, Tedesco, Teherán, Teijeiro, Teixido,

Tejada, Tejeda, Tejos, Tellería, Telles, Téllez, Tello, Tellos, Tencio, Tenorio,

Terán, Tercero, Terrade, Terrientes, Terrin, Terrín, Thames, Theran, Thiel,

Thiele, Thuel, Tíjeres, Tijerino, Tinoco, Toala, Tobal, Tobar, Tobe, Tobella,

Tobín, Tobón, Toledo, Toletino, Tomas, Tomás, Tomeu, Toribio, Torijano,

Tormo, Toro, Torralba, Torre, Torrealba, Torregresa, Torregroza, Torrente,

Torrentes, Torres, Tórrez, Tortós, Tortosa, Toruño, Tosso, Touma, Toval,

Tovar, Trala, Traña, Traures, Travierzo, Travieso, Trediño, Treguear, Trejos,

Treminio, Treviño, Triana, Trigo, Triguel, Triguero, Trigueros, Trilite,

Trimarco, Trimiño, Triquell, Tristán, Triunfo, Troche, Trocanis, Troncoso,

Troya, Troyo, Troz, Trueba, Truffat, Trujillo, Trullas, Trullás, Truque, Tula,

Turcio, Turcios.

T

104

Ubach, Ubao, Ubeda, Ubico, Ubilla, Ubisco,

Ubizco, Ucanan, Ucañan, Ugalde, Ugarte, Ujueta,

Ulacia, Ulate, Ulcigrai, Ulcigral, Ulecia, Uley,

Ulibarri, Ulloa, Umaña, Umanzor, Ungar, Urain,

Uralde, Urbano, Urbina, Urcuyo, Urdangarin, Urea,

Urela, Ureña, Urgellés, Uriarte, Uribe, Uriel,

Urieta, Uriza, Uroz, Urquiaga, Urra, Urraca, Urrea, Urroz, Urruela, Urrutia,

Urtecho, Urunuela, Urzola, Usaga, Useda, Uva, Uveda, Uzaga, Uzcategui.

U

105

Vadivia, Vado, Valdelomar, Valderama,

Valderrama, Valderramo, Valderramos, Valdés,

Valdescastillo, Valdez, Valdiva, Valdivia,

Valdivieso, Valencia, Valenciano, Valentín,

Valenzuela, Valera, Valerín, Valerio, Vales,

Valiente, Valladares, Vallarino, Vallcaneras,

Valldeperas, Valle, Vallecillo, Vallecillos, Vallejo, Vallejos, Valles, Vallez,

Valls, Vals, Valverde, Vanegas, Vaquerano, Vardesia, Varela, Varga, Vargas,

Vargo, Varsi, Varsot, Vartanian, Varth, Vasco, Vasconcelos, Vasílica,

Vásquez, Vassell, Vaz, Veas, Vedoba, Vedova, Vedoya, Vega, Vegas, Vela,

Velarde, Velasco, Velásquez, Velazco, Velázquez, Vélez, Veliz, Venegas,

Ventura, Vera, Verardo, Verastagui, Verdesia, Verdesoto, Vergara, Verguizas,

Vertiz, Verzola, Vesco, Viales, Viana, Viatela, Vicario, Vicente, Vico, Víctor,

Victores, Victoria, Vidaechea, Vidal, Vidales, Vidalón, Vidaorreta, Vidaurre,

Videche, Vieira, Vieto, Vigil, Vigot, Vila, Vilaboa, Vilallobos, Vilanova,

Vilaplana, Villar, Villareal, Villarebia, Villareiva, Villarreal, Villarroel, Villas,

Villaseñor, Villasuso,Villatoro, Villaverde, Villavicencio, Villeda, Villegas,

Villejas, Villena, Viloria, Vindas, Vindel, Vinueza, Viñas, Víquez, Viscaino,

Viso, Vivallo, Vivas, Vivero, Vives, Vívez, Vivies, Vivó, Vizcaíno, Vizcayno.

V

106

Wainberg, Wolf.

W

107

Xatruch, Xirinachs, Xiques.

X

108

Yaacobi, Yanarella, Yanayaco, Yanes,

Yepez, Yglesias, Yllanes, Yurica, Yzaguirre.

Y

109

Zabala, Zabaleta, Zabate, Zablah, Zacarías,

Zacasa, Zalazar, Zaldivar, Zallas, Zambrana,

Zambrano, Zamora, Zamorano, Zamudio, Zamuria,

Zapata, Zaragoza, Zárate, Zarco, Zaror, Zarzosa,

Zavala, Zavaleta, Zayas, Zayat, Zecca, Zedan,

Zegarra, Zelada, Zelaya, Zeledón, Zepeda, Zetina,

Zonta, Zoratte, Zuleta, Zumba, Zumbado, Zúñiga, Zunzunegui.

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Posted in: Immigration News , Sephardic names , Spanish citizenship , Spanish law

BBC Investigation Uncovers More Large Scale Student Visa Immigration Fraud

An investigation by the BBC’s flagship Panorama documentary programme has identified systemic immigration fraud related to the government’s Tier 4 Student Visa scheme. 

Over 200,000 student visas are approved annually, along with a further 100,000 extension to those already studying at British universities and colleges.Qualifications for Tier 4 visas are relatively stringent, and include a verbal and written English test, a 200-question multiple choice test, relevant academic qualifications, adequate support funds and sponsorship by a recognised UK academic institution. 

Panorama infiltrated a number of immigration consultancies by sending in bona-fide students posing as would-be clients. Consultants at the agencies were caught on camera and audio offering to substitute fluent English-speakers at the oral exam, giving out copies of answers to the multiple-choice exam and forging education certificates and bank statements. 

The fake clients told agencies they wanted to apply for Tier 4 student visas, but had come to the UK to work full-time. They also admitted they did not possess the correct paperwork or support funds for the application and were told that, on production of £2,500, everything would be provided as described. 

One consultant even boasted that he would hack into a bank’s site and choose a customer with a similar name and healthy bank balance to be used as proof of support funds. Following the showing of the programme, the government has suspended all English language testing by educational testing company ETS as well as suspending its sponsorship licensing of several English language colleges.

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Posted in: Immigration News , Student Visa Immigration Fraud , Tier 4 Student Visa scheme , UK Immigration

Taiwan Works on Simplified Visa Process for Cruise Travelers

Taiwan will take on the growing cruise market by launching a program to simplify the visa application process for travelers visiting the island's ports, an official from Taiwan International Ports Corporation said Friday.

The National Immigration Agency (NIA) and Ministry of Transportation and Communications have recently reached an agreement to outline measures to simplify the visa process for travelers arriving on cruise liners, said Wei Shuo-liang, a spokesman for the Port of Keelung, which is under the management of the company.

The measures will be similar to a visa free program and will not require advanced applications, Wei said, adding that visitors will receive a temporary travel pass onboard after their cruise operators notify NIA of travelers' information.

However, Chinese passengers will not be included in the program, Wei said.

Around 10,000 cruise travelers, mostly from Southeast Asian countries, will benefit from the program, he said.

The number of cruise travelers to Taiwan is expected to increase by 250,000 to 550,000 in 2014, partly as a result of the program, according to the ports corporation.

The company is hoping to turn Taiwan's Keelung and Kaohsiung ports into cruise hubs for Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, Liu Shih-tsung, vice president of the ration announced earlier this month at Cruise Shipping Miami 2014 trade show. 

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Posted in: taiwan tourism , taiwan travel , visa application process

Thousands of Immigrants Become US Citizens to Mark Presidents’ Day

Almost 18,000 people became US citizens in ceremonies across the country to mark Presidents’ Day, according to figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.)

‘I am very proud that nearly 18,000 immigrants have become US citizens. It is special for our newest citizens to take their Oaths of Allegiance as we celebrate Presidents’ Day,’ said USCIS Acting Director Lori Scialabba.

‘Our newest citizens will help shape our nation’s future. Through the contributions they make, and by choosing to naturalize, they reinforce America’s unique heritage as a nation of immigrants,’ Scialabba added.

The United States welcomes thousands of foreign workers in multiple occupations or employment categories every year. These include artists, researchers, cultural exchange participants, information technologyspecialists, religious workers, investors, scientists, athletes, nurses, agricultural workers and others.

All foreign workers must obtain permission to work legally in the United States. Each employment category for admission has different requirements, conditions and authorized periods of stay. It is important that you adhere to the terms of your application or petition for admission and visa. Any violation can result in removal or denial of re-entry into the country.

There are various visa options. A temporary worker can obtain a visa for entering the country for a specific purpose over a set period of time and is restricted to the activity or reason for which their visa was issued.

A permanent worker is an individual who is authorized to live and work permanently in the United States.

Students and exchange visitors may, under certain circumstances, be allowed to work in the United States. They must obtain permission from an authorized official at their college.

Employers must verify that an individual whom they plan to employ or continue to employ is authorized to work. Individuals, such as those who have been admitted as permanent residents, granted asylum or refugee status, or admitted in work related non-immigrant classifications, may have employment authorization as a direct result of their immigration status. Others may need to apply individually for employment authorization.

Temporary visas are also available for business, unless you qualify for admission without a visa under the Visa Waiver Programme.

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Posted in: Immigration News , US citizens , us immigration , US Visa

Paris: Still the World's No.1 Tourist Destination

Some 32.3 million tourists say France's city of light and romance can't be beat. Paris was once again last year the world's top tourist destination, the regional tourism body said on Monday, citing hotel occupancies.

Despite some tough global economic conditions, it said 2013 was a very good year for tourism in Paris and the surrounding Ile-de-France region, with foreign visitors at "the highest level in 10 years". The nearly 15.5 million foreign visitors to the French capital represented an 8.2 percent increase from 2012. The largest number (2.1 million) came across the Channel from Britain, followed by the Americans, Germans, Italians and Chinese.

It also marked the first time the Chinese topped the list of tourists from Asia with 881,000 flocking to Paris, surpassing the Japanese. There was also a nearly 21-percent increase in visitors from the Middle East, according to the Ile-de-France Regional Tourism Committee.

Ironically, it was the French themselves who seemed less enthusiastic about visiting their world famous capital last year, with the number of French tourists in Parisian hotels dropping by 7.5 percent from 2012.

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Posted in: Paris , travel news , World's No.1 Tourist Destination